Petunia-Calibrachoa Hybrid Plant Named SAKPXC017

ABSTRACT

A New Guinea Impatiens plant designated SAKPXC017 is disclosed. Embodiments include the seeds of New Guinea Impatiens SAKPXC017, the plants of New Guinea Impatiens SAKPXC017, to plant parts of New Guinea Impatiens SAKPXC017, and methods for producing an impatiens plant produced by crossing New Guinea Impatiens SAKPXC017 with itself or with another impatiens variety. Embodiments include methods for producing an impatiens plant containing in its genetic material one or more genes or transgenes and the transgenic impatiens plants and plant parts produced by those methods. Embodiments also relate to impatiens varieties, breeding varieties, plant parts, and cells derived from New Guinea impatiens SAKPXC017, methods for producing other impatiens lines or plant parts derived from New Guinea Impatiens SAKPXC017, and the plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. Embodiments further include hybrid impatiens seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing New Guinea Impatiens SAKPXC017 with another impatiens variety.

CROSS REFERENCE To RELATED APPLICATIONS

This utility patent application claims the benefit of priority from U.S.Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/999,096, filed on Mar.30, 2016, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

The embodiments recited herein relates to a novel and distinctpetunia-calibrachoa hybrid designated SAKPXC017, and to the seeds, plantparts, and tissue culture produced by that petunia-calibrachoa hybridvariety. All publications cited in this application are hereinincorporated by reference.

Petunia and calibrachoa are closely related. In the 1990′s, severalspecies of petunia were crossed with calibrachoa. The resulting hybridoffspring was named Petchoa.

The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations relatedtherewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Otherlimitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill inthe art upon a reading of the specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit of the plant grown in a pot.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of the buds and flower.

SUMMARY

The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described inconjunction with systems, tools and methods which are meant to beexemplary, not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or more ofthe above-described problems have been reduced or eliminated, whileother embodiments are directed to other improvements.

According to one embodiment, there is provided a petunia-calibrachoahybrid plant which is valued as breeding line enabling the developmentof superior ornamental petunia-calibrachoa hybrid plants.

Another embodiment discloses a petunia-calibrachoa hybrid plant, whereina sample of representative sample of live plant tissue of saidpetunia-calibrachoa hybrid is deposited with

Another embodiment relates to tissue culture produced from protoplastsor cells from the petunia-calibrachoa hybrid plants disclosed in thesubject application, wherein said cells or protoplasts are produced froma plant part selected from the group consisting of pollen, ovules,embryos, protoplasts, meristematic cells, callus, pollen, leaves,ovules, anthers, cotyledons, hypocotyl, pistils, roots, root tips,flowers, seeds, petiole, and stems.

Another embodiment relates to a tissue or cell culture of regenerablecells produced from the plant of SAKPXC017 and a petunia-calibrachoahybrid plant regenerated from the tissue or cell culture of SAKPXC017.

Another embodiment relates to a method of vegetatively propagating theplant of SAKPXC017, comprising the steps of: collecting tissue or cellscapable of being propagated from a plant of SAKPX017; cultivating saidtissue or cells of (a) to obtain proliferated shoots; and rooting saidproliferated shoots to obtain rooted plantlets; or cultivating saidtissue or cells to obtain proliferated shoots, or to obtain plantletsand a plant produced by growing the plantlets or proliferated shoots ofsaid plant.

A further embodiment relates to a method for producing an F₁ seed,wherein the method comprises crossing a SAKPXC017 plant with a differentplant and harvesting the resultant seed.

A further embodiment relates to a method for developing apetunia-caiibrachoa hybrid plant in a petunia-calibrachoa hybrid plantbreeding program, comprising applying plant breeding techniquescomprising recurrent selection, backcrossing, pedigree breeding, markerenhanced selection, haploid/double haploid production, or transformationto the petunia-calibrachoa hybrid plant of SAKPXC017, or its parts,wherein application of said techniques results in development of apetunia-calibrachoa hybrid plant.

A further embodiment relates to a method of introducing a mutation intothe genome of a SAKPXC017 plant, said method comprising inducing amutation to the plant, or plant part thereof, of SAKPXC017, wherein saidmutation is selected from the group consisting of ionizing radiation,chemical mutagens, targeting induced local lesions in genomes, zincfinger nuclease mediated mutagenesis, meganuclea.ses, and gene editing,and wherein the resulting plant comprises at least one genome mutationand producing plants therefrom.

In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above,further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by study of thefollowing descriptions.

DEFINITIONS

In the description and tables herein, a number of terms are used. Inorder to provide a clear and consistent understanding of thespecification and claims, including the scope to be given such terms,the following definitions are provided:

Allele, Allele is any of one or more alternative forms for a gene.

Gene. As used herein, “gene” refers to a segment of nucleic acid.

Locus. A locus is the position or location of a gene on a chromosome,

RHS. RHS refers to the acronym for Royal Horticultural Society thatpublishes a color chart used in the plant industry. All RHS colorsreferred to herein are from the RHS 2007 edition.

Plant Parts. Plant parts (or a petunia-calibrachoa plant, or a partthereof) includes but is not limited to, regenerable cells in suchtissue cultures may be protoplasts, meristematic cells, callus, pollen,leaves, ovules, anthers, cotyledons, hypocotyl, pistils, roots, roottips, flowers, plant, petiole, or stems.

Progeny. As used herein, the descendants of one or more of the parentalvarietys and includes an F₁ New Guinea Impatiens plant produced from thecross of two New Guinea Impatiens plants where at least one plantincludes a New Guinea Impatiens plant disclosed herein and progenyfurther includes, but is not limited to, subsequent F₂, F₃, F₄, F₅, F₆,F₇, F₈, F₉, and F₁₀ generational crosses with the recurrent parentalvariety.

Regeneration. Refers to the development of a plant from tissue culture.

RHS. RHS refers to the Royal Horticultural Society color reference.

Single Gene Converted (Conversion). Single gene converted (conversion)plants refers to plants which are developed by a plant breedingtechnique called backcrossing wherein essentially all of the desiredmorphological and physiological characteristics of a variety arerecovered in addition to the single gene transferred into the varietyvia the ba.ckcrossing technique or via genetic engineering.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Petunia-calibrachoa hybrid variety SAKPX.0017 disclosed in the presentapplication has shown uniformity and stability, as described in thefollowing section via vegetative cuttings and selling.Petunia-calibrachoa hybrid variety SAKPXC017 disclosed m the presentapplication has been asexually reproduced a sufficient number ofgenerations with careful attention to uniformity of plant type and hasbeen increased with continued observation for uniformity.

Origin of SAKPXC017

SAKPXC017 comprises a new and distinct variety of petunia-calibrachoa(Petchoa) originating in a greenhouse in Kakegawa, Japan. The presentinvention comprises of a new and distinct cultivar ofpetunia-calibrachoa referred to by the variety name SAKPXC017. VarietySAKPXC017 originated from a hybridization in Kakegawa, Japan in December2011. The female parent was a proprietary petunia hybrida line named‘GY2-1E-6’, which has a yellow flower color and a mounding plant habit.The male parent was a proprietary calibrachoa hybrida line named‘AM9-83A-1B-2A’, which had a yellow flower color and a compact planthabit.

In December 2011, the breeder made an initial cross between the femaleand male breeding lines. In January 2012, 34 ovules were obtained andovule culture was done to rescue the embryo. In July 2012, five plantswere obtained after acclimatization process was completed. Segregationin the F generation resulted in plants having a yellow, cream and brownflower color with vein and mounding or semi-mounding plant habit. Thebreeder selected a plant from the group of plants that exhibited ayellow flower color that was well blooming and had a mounding planthabit. The line was given the experimental name ‘K2013-J-228’.

In August 2012, the selection was vegetatively propagated to producerooted cuttings and plants of the selection were cultivated evaluated inan open field. In November 2012, the breeder observed the selected lineto have its distinct characteristics remain stable. In December 2012,the selection was propagated again and plants were cultivated. In April2013, the breeder confirmed that the distinct characteristics of theselection were fixed and stable. All breeding work was conducted atKa.kegawa Research station in Kakegawa Japan. The selection was namedSAKPXC 017.

Petunia-calibrachoa. SAKPXC017 is a tender perennial and exhibitsexcellent resistance to rain, heat, and drought, but will not toleratetemperatures below 10° C.

Petunia-calibrachoa hybrid variety SAKPXC017 has the followingenvironmental conditions for plant growth: The terminal 1.0 to 1.5inches of an actively growing stem was excised. The vegetative cuttingswere propagated in five to six weeks. The base of the cuttings weredipped for 1 to 2 seconds in a 1:9 solution of DIP 'N GROW (1 solution:9 water), a root inducing solution, immediately prior to sticking intothe cell trays. Cuttings were stuck into plastic cell trays having 98cells, and containing a moistened peat moss-based growing medium. Forthe first week, the cuttings were misted with water from overhead for 10seconds every 30 minutes until sufficient roots were formed.

Rooted cuttings were transplanted and grown in 20 cm diameter plasticpots in a glass greenhouse located in Salinas, Calif. Pots contained apeat moss-based growing medium. Soluble fertilizer containing 20% onitrogen, 10% phosphorus and 20% potassium was applied once a day orevery other day by overhead irrigation. Pots were top-dressed with adry, slow release fertilizer containing 20% nitrogen, 10% phosphorus and18% potassium. The typical average air temperature was 24° C.Petunia-calibrachoa hybrid variety SAKPXC01.7 has shown uniformity andstability, as described in the following variety descriptioninformation. Petunia-calibrachoa hybrid variety SAKPXC017 was tested foruniformity and stability a sufficient number of generations with carefulattention to uniformity of plant type and has been increased withcontinued observation for uniformity.

Petunia-calibrachoa hybrid variety SAKPXC017 has the followingmorphologic and other characteristics based primarily on data collectedin Salinas, Calif. Color references are to The R.H.S. Colour Chart ofThe Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.), 4^(th) edition.Anatomic labels are from The Cambridge Illustrated Glossary of BotanicalTerms, by M. Hickey and C. King, Cambridge University.

Table 1: Variety Description Information (Comprised of Tables 1A and 1B)

TABLE 1A Characteristic SAKPXC017 Form Annual or Tender Perennial HabitMounding Height 18.0 cm from soil line to top of foliage Spread 40.0 cmTime to produce a rooted cutting 4 weeks Time to bloom from asexual 8 to10 weeks propagation Stem description Dull in appearance and circular incross-section Stem diameter 4.0 mm Stem length 15.0 cm (length of entirestem from end to end) and) 1.0 cm (from soil line to first node) Stemcolor RHS 144A (Yellow-Green) Stem internode length 1.0 cm Stempubescence and color RHS N155A (White) Leaf arrangement Alternate Leafshape Elliptic Leaf apex Obtuse Leaf base Attenuate Leaf margin EntireLeaf texture (both surfaces) Dull Leaf pubescence and color Moderate,RHS N155A (White) Leaf venation Pinnate Leaf length 4.0 cm Leaf width0.9 cm Leaf color Upper: RHS 137A (Green) Lower: RHS 138A (Green) Leaffragrance Absent Flowering habit and type Indeterminate, solitary Totalnumber of flowers Approximately 110 Flowering requirements Will flowerso long as day length is greater than 12 hours and temperature exceeds13° C. Duration of flower life 5 days Flower shape Funnel shaped withfive fissures and a shallow, yet prominent, indentation of the petal tipat the midvein Flower depth 1.0 cm Flower tube length 2.5 cm Flower tubediameter 1.0 cm Flower tube pubescence Inner: Absent Outer: ModerateFlower diameter 5.0 cm Flower fragrance Absent Corolla arrangementComposed of 5 petals, fused Corolla diameter 2.5 cm Corolla tube colorInner closest to RHS 12B (Yellow) with RHS N77A (Purple) veins; OuterRHS 1D (Yellow) with RHS 144B (Yellow-Green) and RHS N77A (Purple) veinsFlower bud shape Ovate Flower bud length 3.5 cm Flower bud diameter 0.8cm Flower bud surface texture Pubescent Flower bud color RHS 1D (Yellow)with RHS 144B (Yellow-Green) and RHS N77A (Purple) veins Peduncle length1.5 cm Peduncle diameter 1.0 mm Peduncle surface texture Dull Pedunclepubescence and color Heavy pubescence, pubescence color is RHS N155A(White) Peduncle color RHS 144A (Yellow-Green) with very slightanthocyanin on some, anthocyanin color is RHS N187A (Greyed-Purple)Calyx description Composed of 5 sepals, fused below the middle Sepalshape Elliptical Sepal apex Obtuse Sepal margin Entire Sepal length 2.0cm Sepal width 0.4 mm Sepal color Upper: RHS 138A (Green) Lower: RHS138A (Green) Petal shape Bilabiate, fused, margin cleaved Petal length2.5 cm Petal width 2.5 cm Petal apex Truncate Petal margin Entire Petaltexture (both surfaces) Dull, Glabrous Petal color, upper surfaceClosest to RHS 11D (Yellow) with RHS 1A (Green-Yellow) veins and RHS 12B(Yellow) eye Petal color, upper surface RHS 11D (Yellow) with RHS 144B(Yellow-Green) midveins Stamen description and number 5, free, 2.0 cm inlength, RHS 154D (Yellow-Green) Filament color RHS 1D (Yellow) Pollencolor RHS 11B (Yellow) Ovary description Superior Placenta arrangementCentral Pistil description 1 (per inflorescence); 1.5 cm in lengthStigma color RHS 143C (Green) Style color and length RHS 154D(Yellow-Green); 1.8 cm Fruit/seed set None observed

TABLE 1B Disease and Insect Resistance SAKPXC017 Botrytis cinereaSusceptible Powdery mildew Susceptible Stem and root rots SusceptibleTobacco Mosaic Virus Susceptible Impatiens Necrotic Spotted VirusSusceptible Aphids Susceptible Leafminer Susceptible WhiteflySusceptible Lepitopdera Susceptible

Further Embodiments Breeding With Petunia-Calibrachoa Hybrid VarietySAKPXC017

The complexity of inheritance influences choice of the breeding method.Backcross breeding is used to transfer one or a few favorable genes fora highly heritable trait into a desirable variety. This approach hasbeen used extensively for breeding disease-resistant varieties. Variousrecurrent selection techniques are used to improve quantitativelyinherited traits controlled by numerous genes. The use of recurrentselection in self-pollinating crops depends on the ease of pollination,the frequency of successful hybrids from each pollination, and thenumber of hybrid offspring from each successful cross.

Promising advanced breeding varieties are thoroughly tested and comparedto appropriate standards in environments representative of thecommercial target area(s) for three or more years. The best varietiesare candidates for new commercial varieties; those still deficient in afew traits may be used as parents to produce new populations for furtherselection.

These processes, which lead to the final step of marketing anddistribution, is a time-consuming process that requires precise forwardplanning, efficient use of resources, and a minimum of changes indirection.

A most difficult task is the identification of individuals that aregenetically superior, because for most traits the true genotypic valueis masked by other confounding plant traits or environmental factors.One method of identifying a superior plant is to observe its performancerelative to other experimental plants and to a widely grown standardvariety. If a single observation is inconclusive, replicatedobservations provide a better estimate of its genetic worth.

The goal of petunia-calibrachoa breeding is to develop new and superiorpetunia-calibrachoa varieties and hybrids. The breeder initially selectsand crosses two or more parental varieties, followed by repeated sellingand selection, producing many new genetic combinations. The breeder cantheoretically generate billions of different genetic combinations viacrossing, selection, selling and mutations.

Using Petunia-Calibrachoa Hybrid Variety SAKPXC017 to Develop OtherPetunia-Calibrachoa Varieties

Petunia-calibrachoa varieties such as petunia-calibrachoa hybrid varietySAKPXC017 are a source of breeding material that may be used to developnew petunia-calibrachoa varieties. Plant breeding techniques known inthe art and used in a petunia-calibrachoa breeding program include, butare not limited to, recurrent selection, mass selection, bulk selection,mass selection, backcrossing, pedigree breeding, open pollinationbreeding, restriction fragment length polymorphism enhanced selection,genetic marker enhanced selection, making double haploids,transformation, and gene editing. These techniques can be usedsingularly or in combinations. There are many analytical methodsavailable to evaluate a new variety. The oldest and most traditionalmethod of analysis is the observation of phenotypic traits, butgenotypic analysis may also be used.

Additional Breeding Methods

Any plants produced using the SAKPXC017 plants disclosed in the presentapplication as at least one parent are also an embodiment. These methodsare well-known in the art and some of the more commonly used breedingmethods are described herein. Descriptions of breeding methods can befound in one of several reference books (e.g., Allard, “Principles ofPlant Breeding” (1999); and Vainstein, “Breeding for Ornamentals:Classical and Molecular Approaches,” Kluwer Academic Publishers (2002);Callaway, “Breeding Ornamental Plants,” Timber Press (2000).

Breeding steps that may be used in the petunia-calibrachoa hybridvariety SAKPXC017 plant breeding program can include for example,pedigree breeding, backcrossing, mutation breeding, and recurrentselection. In conjunction with these steps, techniques such asRFLP-enhanced selection, genetic marker enhanced selection (for example,SSR markers), Gene Editing and the making of double haploids may beutilized.

As used herein, the term “plant” includes plant cells, plantprotoplasts, plant cell tissue cultures from which SAKPX017 plants canbe regenerated, plant calli, plant clumps, and plant cells that areintact in plants or parts of plants, such as pollen, ovules, embryos,protoplasts, meristematic cells, callus, pollen, leaves, ovules,anthers, cotyledons, hypocotyl, pistils, roots, root tips, seeds,flowers, petiole, pods, shoot, or stems and the like. Pedigree Breeding

Pedigree breeding starts with the crossing of two genotypes, such aspetunia-calibrachoa hybrid variety SAKPX,C017 and anotherpetunia-calibrachoa hybrid variety having one or more desirablecharacteristics that is lacking or which complements petunia-calibrachoahybrid variety SAKPXC017. lithe two original parents do not provide allthe desired characteristics, other sources can be included in thebreeding population. In the pedigree method, superior plants are satedand selected in successive filial generations. In the succeeding filialgenerations, the heterozygous condition gives way to homogeneousvarieties as a result of self-pollination and selection. Typically inthe pedigree method of breeding, five or more successive filialgenerations of selling and selection is practiced: F₁ to F₂; F₂ to F₃;F₃ to F₄; F₄ to F₅; etc. After a sufficient amount of inbreeding,successive filial generations will serve to increase seed of thedeveloped variety. Preferably, the developed variety compriseshomozygous alleles at about 95% or more of its loci.

Backcross Breeding

Backcross breeding has been used to transfer genes for a simplyinherited, highly heritable trait into a desirable homozygous variety orinbred variety which is the recurrent parent. The source of the trait tobe transferred is called the donor parent. After the initial cross,individuals possessing the phenotype of the donor parent are selectedand repeatedly crossed (backcrossed) to the recurrent parent. Theresulting plant is expected to have the attributes of the recurrentparent (e.g., variety) and the desirable trait transferred from thedonor parent. This is also known as single gene conversion and/orbackcross conversion.

In addition to being used to create a backcross conversion, backcrossingcan also be used in combination with pedigree breeding. As discussedpreviously, backcrossing can be used to transfer one or morespecifically desirable traits from one variety, the donor parent, to adeveloped variety called the recurrent parent, which has overall goodcommercial characteristics yet lacks that desirable trait or traits.However, the same procedure can be used to move the progeny toward thegenotype of the recurrent parent, but at the same time retain manycomponents of the nonrecurrent parent by stopping the backcrossing at anearly stage and proceeding with selfing and selection. For example, aNew Guinea Impatiens plant may be crossed with another variety toproduce a first generation progeny plant. The first generation progenyplant may then be backcrossed to one of its parent varieties to create aBC₁ or BC₂. Progeny are selfed and selected so that the newly developedvariety has many of the attributes of the recurrent parent and yetseveral of the desired attributes of the nonrecurrent parent. Thisapproach leverages the value and strengths of the recurrent parent foruse in new New Guinea Impatiens varieties.

Therefore, another embodiment is a method of making a backcrossconversion of petunia-calibrachoa hybrid variety SAKPXC017, comprisingthe steps of crossing petunia-calibrachoa hybrid variety SAKPXC017 witha donor plant comprising a desired trait, selecting an FI progeny plantcomprising the desired trait, and backcrossing the selected F₁ progenyplant to petunia-calibrachoa hybrid variety SAKPXC017. This method mayfurther comprise the step of obtaining a molecular marker profile ofpetunia-calibrachoa hybrid variety SAKPXC017 and using the molecularmarker profile to select for a progeny plant with the desired trait andthe molecular marker profile of petunia-calibrachoa hybrid varietySAKPXC017.

Recurrent Selection and Mass Selection

Recurrent selection is a method used in a plant breeding program toimprove a population of plants. Petunia-calibrachoa hybrid varietySAKPXC017 is suitable for use in a recurrent selection program. Themethod entails individual plants cross pollinating with each other toform progeny. The progeny are grown and the superior progeny selected byany number of selection methods, which include individual plant,half-sib progeny, full-sib progeny, and selfed progeny. The selectedprogeny are cross pollinated with each other to form progeny for anotherpopulation. This population is planted and again superior plants areselected to cross pollinate with each other. Recurrent selection is acyclical process and therefore can be repeated as many times as desired.The objective of recurrent selection is to improve the traits of apopulation. The improved population can then be used as a source ofbreeding material to obtain new varieties for commercial or breedinguse, including the production of a synthetic variety. A syntheticvariety is the resultant progeny formed by the intercrossing of severalselected varieties.

Mass selection is a useful technique when used in conjunction withmolecular marker enhanced selection. In mass selection, seeds fromindividuals are selected based on phenotype or genotype. These selectedseeds are then bulked and used to grow the next generation. Bulkselection requires growing a population of plants in a bulk plot,allowing the plants to self-pollinate, harvesting the seed in bulk, andthen using a sample of the seed harvested in bulk to plant the nextgeneration. Also, instead of self-pollination, directed pollinationcould be used as part of the breeding program.

Mass and recurrent selections can be used to improve populations ofeither self- or cross-pollinating crops. A genetically variablepopulation of heterozygous individuals is either identified, or created,by intercrossing several different parents. The plants are selectedbased on individual superiority, outstanding progeny, or excellentcombining ability. The selected plants are intercrossed to produce a newpopulation in which further cycles of selection are continued.

Mutation Breeding

Mutation breeding is another method of introducing new traits intopetunia-calibrachoa hybrid variety SAKPXC017. Mutations that occurspontaneously or are artificially induced can be useful sources ofvariability for a plant breeder. The goal of artificial mutagenesis isto increase the rate of mutation for a desired characteristic. Mutationrates can be increased by many different means including temperature,long-term seed storage, tissue culture conditions, ionizing radiation,such as X-rays, Gamma rays (e.g., cobalt 60 or cesium 137), neutrons,(product of nuclear fission by uranium 235 in an atomic reactor), Betaradiation (emitted from radioisotopes such as phosphorus 32 or carbon14), or ultraviolet radiation (preferably from 2500 to 2900 nm);chemical mutagens (such as base analogues (5-bromo-uracil)), relatedcompounds (8-ethoxy caffeine), antibiotics (streptonigrin), alkylatingagents (sulfur mustards, nitrogen mustards, epoxides, ethylenamines,sulfates, sulfonates such as ethyl methanesulfonate, sulfones,lactones), sodium azide, hydroxylamine, nitrous acid,methylnitrilsourea, or acridines; TILLING (targeting induced locallesions in genomes), where mutation is induced by chemical mutagens andmutagenesis is accompanies by the isolation of chromosomal DNA fromevery mutated plant line or seed and screening of the population of theseed or plants is performed at the DNA level using advanced moleculartechniques; zinc finger nucleases. Once a desired trait is observedthrough mutagenesis the trait may then be incorporated into existinggermplasm by traditional breeding techniques. Details of mutationbreeding can be found in Vainstein, “Breeding for Ornamentals: Classicaland Molecular Approaches,” Kluwer Academic Publishers (2002); Sikora,Per, et al., “Mutagenesis as a Tool in Plant. Genetics, FunctionalGenomics, and Breeding” International Journal of Plant Genomics. 2011(2011); 13 pages; Petilino, Joseph F. “Genome editing in plants viadesigned zinc finger nucleases” In Vitro Cell Dev Bial Plant. 51(1): pp.1-8 (2015); and Daboussi, Fayza, et al, “Engineering Meganuclease forPrecise Plant Genome Modification” in Advances in New Technology forTargeted Modification of Plant Genomes. Springer Science+Business. pp21-38 (2015). In addition, mutations created in other New GuineaImpatiens plants may be used to produce a backcross conversion of NewGuinea Impatiens that comprises such mutation.

Additional methods include, but are not limited to, expression vectorsintroduced into plant tissues using a direct gene transfer method, suchas microproiectile-mediated delivery, DNA injection, electroporation,and the like. More preferably, expression vectors are introduced intoplant tissues by using either microprojectile-mediated delivery with abiolistic device or by using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation.Transformant plants obtained with the protoplasm of the embodiments areintended to be within the scope of the embodiments.

Gene Editing Using CRISPR

Targeted gene editing can be done using CRISPR/Cas9 technology (Saunders& Joung, Nature Biotechnology, 32, 347-355, 2014). CRISPR is a type ofgenome editing system that stands for Clustered Regularly InterspacedShort Palindromic Repeats. This system and CRISPR-associated (Cas) genesenable organisms, such as select bacteria and archaea, to respond to andeliminate invading genetic material. Ishino, Y., et al. J. Bacteriol.169, 5429-5433 (1987). These repeats were known as early as the 1980s inE. coli, but Barrangou and colleagues demonstrated that S. thermophiluscan acquire resistance against a bacteriophage by integrating a fragmentof a genome of an infectious virus into its CRISPR los us. Barrangou,It., et al. Science 315, 1709-1712 (2007). Many plants have already beenmodified using the CRISPR system, including Petunia. See for example,Zhang, B. et al., “Exploiting the CRISPR/Cas9 System for Targeted GenomeMutagenesis in Petunia” Science Reports, Vol. 6, February 2016.

Gene editing can also be done using crRNA.-guided surveillance systemsfor gene editing. Additional information about crRNA-guided surveillancecomplex systems for gene editing can be found in the followingdocuments, which are incorporated by reference in their entirety: U.S.Application Publication No. 2010/0076057 (Sontheimer et al., Target DNAInterference with crRNA); U.S. Application Publication No. 2014/0179006(Feng, CRISPR-CAS Component Systems, Methods, and Compositions forSequence Manipulation); U.S. Application Publication No. 2014/0294773(Brouns et al., Modified Cascade Ribonucleoproteins and Uses Thereof);Sorek et al., Annu. Rev. Biochem. 82:273-266, 2013; and Wang, S. et al.,Plant Cell Rep (2015) 34: 1473-1476.

Therefore it is another embodiment to use the CRISPR system onpetunia-calibrachoa hybrid variety SAK:PX.0017 to modify traits andresistances or tolerances to pests, herbicides, and viruses.

Introduction of a New Trait or Locus Into Petunia-Calibrachoa HybridVariety SAKPXC017

Petunia-calibrachoa hybrid variety SAKPXC017 represents a new varietyinto which a new locus or trait may be introgressed. Directtransformation and backcrossing represent two important methods that canbe used to accomplish such an introgression. The term backcrossconversion and single locus conversion are used interchangeably todesignate the product of a backcrossing program.

Molecular Techniques Using Petunia-Calibrachoa Hybrid Variety SAKPXC017

The advent of new molecular biological techniques has allowed theisolation and characterization of genetic elements with specificfunctions. Traditional plant breeding has principally been the source ofnew germplasm, however, advances in molecular technologies have allowedbreeders to provide varieties with novel and much wanted commercialattributes. Molecular techniques such as transformation are popular inbreeding ornamental plants and well-known in the art. See Vainstein,“Breeding for Ornamentals: Classical and Molecular Approaches,” KluwerAcademic Publishers (2002).

Breeding With Molecular Markers

Molecular markers can also be used during the breeding process for theselection of qualitative traits. For example, markers closely linked toalleles or markers containing sequences within the actual alleles ofinterest can be used to select plants that contain the alleles ofinterest during a backcrossing breeding program. The markers can also beused to select for the genome of the recurrent parent and against thegenome of the donor parent. Using this procedure can minimize the amountof genome from the donor parent that remains in the selected plants. Itcan also he used to reduce the number of crosses back to the recurrentparent needed in a backcrossing program. The use of molecular markers inthe selection process is often called genetic marker enhanced selection.Molecular markers may also be used to identify and exclude certainsources of germplasm as parental varieties or ancestors of a plant byproviding a means of tracking genetic profiles through crosses.Molecular markers, which includes markers identified through the use oftechniques such as Isozyme Electrophoresis, Restriction Fragment LengthPolymorphisms (RFLPs), Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs),Arbitrarily Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction (AP-PCR), DNA AmplificationFingerprinting (DAF), Sequence Characterized Amplified Regions (SCARs),Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs), Simple Sequence Repeats(SSRs), and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs), may be used in plantbreeding methods utilizing Petunia-calibrachoa hybrid variety SAKPXC017.See Vainstein, “Breeding for Ornamentals: Classical and MolecularApproaches,” Kluwer Academic Publishers (2002).

One use of molecular markers is Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) mapping.QTL mapping is the use of markers, which are known to be closely linkedto alleles that have measurable effects on a quantitative trait.Selection in the breeding process is based upon the accumulation ofmarkers linked to the positive effecting alleles and/or the eliminationof the markers linked to the negative effecting alleles from the plant'sgenome. See for example, Fletcher, Richard S., et al., “QTL analysis ofroot morphology, flowering time, and yield reveals trade-offs inresponse to drought in Brassica napus” Journal of Experimental Biology.66 (1): 245-256 (2014). QTL markers can also be used during the breedingprocess for the selection of qualitative traits. For example, markersclosely linked to alleles or markers containing sequences within theactual alleles of interest can be used to select plants that contain thealleles of interest during a backcrossing breeding program. The markerscan also be used to select for the genome of the recurrent parent andagainst the genome of the donor parent. Using this procedure canminimize the amount of genome from the donor parent that remains in theselected plants. It can also be used to reduce the number of crossesback to the recurrent parent needed in a backcrossing program. The useof molecular markers in the selection process is often called geneticmarker enhanced selection. Molecular markers may also be used toidentify and exclude certain sources of germplasm as parental varietiesor ancestors of a plant by providing a means of tracking geneticprofiles through crosses.

Production of Double Haploids

The production of double haploids can also be used for the developmentof plants with a homozygous phenotype in the breeding program. Forexample, a petunia-calibrachoa plant for which petunia-calibrachoahybrid variety SAKPXC017 is a parent can be used to produce doublehaploid plants. Double haploids are produced by the doubling of a set ofchromosomes (1N) from a heterozygous plant to produce a completelyhomozygous individual, This can be advantageous because the processomits the generations of selfing needed to obtain a homozygous plantfrom a heterozygous source. For example, see, Ferrie, Alison M. R., etal., “Review of Doubled Haploidy Methodologies in Ornamental Species”Propagation of Ornamental Plants. 11(2): pp. 63-77 (2011).

Thus, an embodiment is a process for making a substantially homozygouspetunia-calibrachoa hybrid variety SAKPXC017 progeny plant by producingor obtaining a seed from the cross of petunia-calibrachoa hybrid varietySAKPXC017 and another petunia-calibrachoa plant and applying doublehaploid methods to the F₁ seed or F₁ plant or to any successive filialgeneration.

In particular, a process of making seed retaining the molecular markerprofile of petunia-calibrachoa hybrid variety SAKPXC017 is contemplated,such process comprising obtaining or producing F₁ seed for whichpetunia-calibrachoa hybrid variety SAKPXC017 is a parent, inducingdoubled haploids to create progeny without the occurrence of meioticsegregation, obtaining the molecular marker profile ofpetunia-caiibrachoa hybrid variety SAKPXC017, and selecting progeny thatretain the molecular marker profile of petunia-calibrachoa hybridvariety SAKPXC017.

Expression Vectors for Petunia-Calibrachoa ‘Transformation: Marker Genes

Plant transformation involves the construction of an expression vectorwhich will function in plant cells. Such a vector comprises DNAcomprising a gene under control of, or operatively linked to, aregulatory element (for example, a promoter). Expression vectors includeat least one genetic marker operably linked to a regulatory element (forexample, a promoter) that allows transformed cells containing the markerto be either recovered by negative selection, i.e., inhibiting growth ofcells that do not contain the selectable marker gene, or by positiveselection, i.e., screening for the product encoded by the geneticmarker. Many commonly used selectable marker genes for planttransformation are well-known in the transformation arts, and include,for example, genes that code for enzymes that metabolically detoxify aselective chemical agent which may be an antibiotic or an herbicide, orgenes that encode an altered target which is insensitive to theinhibitor. A few positive selection methods are also known in the art.

One commonly used selectable marker gene for plant transformation is theneomycin phosphotransferase II (nptII) gene which, when under thecontrol of plant regulatory signals, confers resistance to kanamycin.Another commonly used selectable marker gene is the hygromycinphosphotransferase gene which confers resistance to the antibiotichygromycin.

Selectable marker genes for plant transformation not of bacterial origininclude, for example, mouse dihydrofolate reductase, plant5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase, and plant acetolactatesynthase (Eichholtz, et al., Somatic Cell 4161 Genet., 13:67 (1987);Shah, et al., Science, 233:478 (1986); Charest, et al., Plant Cell Rep.,8:643 (1990)).

Another class of marker genes for plant transformation requiresscreening of presumptively transformed plant cells, rather than directgenetic selection of transformed cells, for resistance to a toxicsubstance such as an antibiotic. These genes are particularly useful toquantify or visualize the spatial pattern of expression of a gene inspecific tissues and are frequently referred to as reporter genesbecause they can be fused to a gene or gene regulatory sequence for theinvestigation of gene expression. Commonly used marker genes forscreening presumptively transformed cells include β-glucuronidase (GUS),β-galactosidase, luciferase, and chloramphenicol. acetyltransferase(Jefferson, R. A., Plant Mol. Biol. Rep., 5:387 (1987); Teeri, et al.,EMBO J., 8:343 (1989); Koncz, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. USA, 84:131(1987); DeBlock, et at, EMBO J., 3:1681 (1984)).

Expression Vectors for Petunia-Calibrachoa Transformation: Promoters

Genes included in expression vectors must be driven by a nucleotidesequence comprising a regulatory element (for example, a promoter).Several types of promoters are well known in the transformation arts asare other regulatory elements that can be used alone or in combinationwith promoters.

As used herein, “promoter” includes reference to a region of DNAupstream from the start of transcription and involved in recognition andbinding of RNA polymerase and other proteins to initiate transcription.A “plant promoter” is a promoter capable of initiating transcription inplant cells. Examples of promoters under developmental control includepromoters that preferentially initiate transcription in certain tissues,such as leaves, roots, seeds, fibers, xylem vessels, tracheids, orsclerenchyma. Such promoters are referred to as “tissue-preferred.”Promoters that initiate transcription only in a certain tissue arereferred to as “tissue-specific.” A “cell-type” specific promoterprimarily drives expression in certain cell types in one or more organs,for example, vascular cells in roots or leaves. An “inducible” promoteris a promoter which is under environmental control. Examples ofenvironmental conditions that may affect transcription by induciblepromoters include anaerobic conditions or the presence of light.Tissue-specific, tissue-preferred, cell-type specific, and induciblepromoters constitute the class of “non-constitutive” promoters. A“constitutive” promoter is a promoter that is active under mostenvironmental conditions. Many types of promoters are well known in theart.

Signal Sequences for Targeting Proteins to Subcellular Compartments

Transport of a protein produced by transgenes to a subcellularcompartment, such as the chloroplast, vacuole, peroxisome, glyoxysotne,cell wall, or mitochondrion, or for secretion into the apoplast, isaccomplished by means of operably linking the nucleotide sequenceencoding a signal sequence to the 5’ and/or 3′ region of a gene encodingthe protein of interest. Targeting sequences at the 5′ and/or 3′ end ofthe structural gene may determine during protein synthesis andprocessing where the encoded protein is ultimately compartmentalized.Many signal sequences are well-known in the art. See, for example,Becker, et al., Plant Mol. Biol., 20:49 (1992); Knox, C., et al., PlantMol. Biol., 9:3-17 (1987); Lerner, et al., Plant Physiol., 91:124-129(1989); Frontes, et at, Plant Cell, 3:483-496 (1991); Matsuoka., et al.,Proc. Natl, Acad. Sci 88:834 (1991); Gould, et al., J. Cell. Biol.,108:1657 (1989); Creissen, et al., Plant J., 2:129 (1991); Kalderon, etal., Cell, 39:499-509 (1984); Steifel, et al., Plant Cell, 2:785-793(1990).

Foreign Protein Genes: Transformation

Various promoters, targeting sequences, enhancing sequences, and otherDNA sequences can be inserted into the genome for the purpose ofaltering the expression of proteins. The interruption or suppression ofthe expression of a gene at the level of transcription or translation(also known as gene silencing or gene suppression) is desirable forseveral aspects of genetic engineering in plants.

Many techniques for gene silencing are well-known to one of skill in theart, including, but not limited to, knock-outs (such as by insertion ofa transposable element such as Mu (Vicki Chandler, The Maize Handbook,Ch. 118 (Springer-Verlag 1994)) or other genetic elements such as a FRT,Lox, or other site specific integration sites; antisense technology(see, e.g., Sheehy, et al., PNAS USA, 85:8805-8809 (1988) and U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,107,065, 5,453,566, and 5,759,829); co-suppression (e.g., Taylor,Plant Cell, 9:1245 (1997); Jorgensen, Trends Biotech., 8(12):340-344(1990); Flavell, PNAS USA, 91:3490-3496 (1994); Finnegan, et al.,Bio/Technology, 12:883-888 (1994); Neuhuber, et al., Mol. Gen. Genet.,244:230-241 (1994)); RNA interference (Napoli, et al., Plant Cell,2:279-289 (1990); U.S. Pat. No. 5,034,323; Sharp, Genes Dev., 13:139-141(1999); Zamore, et al., Cell, 101:25-33 (2000); Montgomery, et al, PNASUSA, 95:15502-15507 (1998)), virus-induced gene silencing (Burton, etal., Plant Cell, 12:691-705 (2000); Baulcombe, Curr. Op. Plant Bio.,2:109-113 (1999)); target-RNA-specific ribozymes (Haseloff, et al.,Nature, 334:585-591 (1988)); hairpin structures (Smith, et al., Nature,407:319-320 (2000); U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,423,885, 7,138,565, 6,753,139, and7,713,715); MicroRNA (Aukerman & Sakai, Plant Cell, 15:2730-2741(2003)); ribozymes (Steinecke, et al., EMBO J., 11:1525 (1992);Perriman, et al., Antisense Res. Dev., 3:253 (1993)); oligonucleotidemediated targeted modification (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,528,700 and6,911,575); Zn-finger targeted molecules (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos.7,151,201, 6,453,242, 6,785,613, 7,177,766 and 7,788,044); and othermethods or combinations of the above methods known to those of skill inthe art.

The foregoing methods for transformation may be used for producing atransgenic variety. The transgenic variety could then be crossed withanother (non-transformed or transformed) variety in order to produce anew transgenic variety. Alternatively, a genetic trait that has beenengineered into a particular petunia-calibrachoa variety using theforegoing transformation techniques could be moved into another varietyusing traditional backcrossing techniques that are well known in theplant breeding arts. For example, a backcrossing approach could be usedto move an engineered trait from a public, non-elite variety into anelite variety, or from a variety containing a foreign gene in its genomeinto a variety or varieties that do not contain that gene. As usedherein, “crossing” can refer to a simple x by y cross or the process ofbackcrossing depending on the context.

Likewise, by means of one embodiment, genes can be expressed intransformed plants. More particularly, plants can be geneticallyengineered to express various phenotypes of interest, including, but notlimited to, genes that confer resistance to pests or disease, genes thatconfer resistance to an herbicide, genes that confer or contribute to avalue-added or desired trait, genes that control male sterility, genesthat create a site for site specific DNA integration, and genes thataffect abiotic stress resistance. Many hundreds if not thousands ofdifferent genes are known and could potentially be introduced into aplant according to the invention. Non-limiting examples of particulargenes and corresponding phenotypes one may choose to introduce into aplant include one or more genes for insect tolerance, such as a Bacillusthuringiensis (Bt.) gene, pest tolerance such as genes for fungaldisease control, herbicide tolerance such as genes conferring glyphosatetolerance, and genes for quality improvements such as, environmental orstress tolerances, or any desirable changes in plant physiology, growth,development, morphology or plant product(s). For example, structuralgenes would include any gene that confers insect tolerance including butnot limited to a Bacillus insect control protein gene as described in WO99/31248, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, U.S. Pat.No. 5,689,052, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,500,365 and 5,880,275, herein incorporated by reference intheir entirety. In another embodiment, the structural gene can confertolerance to the herbicide glyphosate as conferred by genes including,but not limited to Agrobacterium strain CP4 glyphosate resistant EPSPSgene (aroA:CP4) as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,435, hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety, or glyphosate oxidoreductasegene (GOX) as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,463,175, herein incorporatedby reference in its entirety. Alternatively, the DNA coding sequencescan affect these phenotypes by encoding a non-translatable RNA moleculethat causes the targeted inhibition of expression of an endogenous gene,for example via antisense- or cosuppression-mediated mechanisms (see,for example, Bird et al., Biotech. Gen. Engin. Rev., 9:207, 1991). TheRNA could also be a catalytic RNA molecule (i.e., a ribozyme) engineeredto cleave a desired endogenous mRNA product (see for example, Gibson andShillito, Mol. Biotech., 7:125, 1997). Thus, any gene which produces aprotein or mRNA which expresses a phenotype or morphology change ofinterest is useful for the practice of one or more embodiments.

Tissue Culture

Further reproduction of the variety can occur by tissue culture andregeneration. Tissue culture of various tissues of ornamental plants andNew Guinea impatiens SAKPX017 and regeneration of plants therefrom iswell-known and widely published. For example, reference may be had to doValla Rego, Luciana et al., Crop Breeding and Applied Technology, 1(3):283-300 (2001); Komatsuda, T., et al., Crop Sci., 31:333-337 (1991);Stephens, P. A., et al., Theor. Appl. Genet., 82:633-635 (1991);Kotnatsuda, T., et al., Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture, 28:103-113(1992); Dhir, S., et al., Plant Cell Reports, 11:285-289 (1992); Pandey,P., et al., Japan J. Breed., 42:1-5 (1992); and Shetty, K., et al.,Plant Science, 81:245-251 (1992). Thus, another embodiment is to providecells which upon growth and differentiation produce petunia-calibrachoaplants having the physiological and morphological characteristics ofpetunia-calibrachoa hybrid SAKPX017 described in the presentapplication.

Regeneration refers to the development of a plant from tissue culture.The term “tissue culture” indicates a composition comprising isolatedcells of the same or a different type or a collection of such cellsorganized into parts of a plant. Exemplary types of tissue cultures areprotoplasts, calli, plant clumps, and plant cells that can generatetissue culture that are intact in plants or parts of plants, such asembryos, pollen, flowers, seeds, pods, petioles, leaves, stems, roots,root tips, anthers, pistils, and the like. Means for preparing andmaintaining plant tissue culture are well known in the art. By way ofexample, a tissue culture comprising organs has been used to produceregenerated plants. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,959,185, 5,973,234, and 5,977,445describe certain techniques, the disclosures of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussedabove, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications,permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is thereforeintended that the following appended claims and claims hereafterintroduced are interpreted to include all such modifications,permutations, additions, and sub-combinations as are within their truespirit and scope.

One or more aspects may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the embodiments is, therefore,indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription. All changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. Theforegoing discussion of the embodiments has been presented for purposesof illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limitthe embodiments to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoingDetailed Description for example, various features of the embodimentsare grouped together in one or more embodiments for the purpose ofstreamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to beinterpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodimentsrequire more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather,as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than allfeatures of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the followingclaims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Descripti on, witheach claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment.

Moreover, though the description of the embodiments has includeddescription of one or more embodiments and certain variations andmodifications, other variations and modifications are within the scopeof the embodiments (e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge ofthose in the art, after understanding the present disclosure). It isintended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments to theextent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalentstructures, functions, ranges or acts to those claimed, whether or notsuch alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions,ranges or acts are disclosed herein, and without intending to publiclydedicate any patentable subject matter.

The use of the terms “a,” “an,” and “the,” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the embodiments (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing”are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, butnot limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of valuesherein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referringindividually to each separate value falling within the range, unlessotherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated intothe specification as if it were individually recited herein. Forexample, if the range 10-15 is disclosed, then 11, 12, 13, and 14 arealso disclosed. All methods described herein can be performed in anysuitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearlycontradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplarylanguage (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to betterilluminate the embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scopeof the embodiments unless otherwise claimed. No language in thespecification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed elementas essential to the practice one or more embodiments.

Deposit Information

A plant tissue deposit of the Sakata Seed America, Inc. proprietarypetunia-calibrachoa hybrid variety SAKPXC017 disclosed above and recitedin the appended claims is maintained by Sakata Seed, America, Inc. Adeposit will be made with the National Collections of Industrial, Foodand Marine Bacteria (NCIMB), Ferguson Building, Craibstone Estate,Bucksburn, Aberdeen, AB21 9YA, Scotland, United Kingdom. Access to thisdeposit will be available during the pendency of this application topersons determined by the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks to beentitled thereto under 37 C.F.R. 1.14 and 35 U.S.C. §122. Upon allowanceof any claims in this application, all restrictions on the availabilityto the public of the variety will be irrevocably removed by affordingaccess to a deposit of the plant tissue deposit of the same variety withNCIMB. The deposit will be maintained in the depository for a period of30 years, or 5 years after the last request, or for the effective lifeof the patent, whichever is longer, and will be replaced if necessaryduring that period.

What is claimed is:
 1. A plant of petunia-calibrachoa hybrid varietySAKPXC017, wherein a representative sample of live plant tissue of saidcultivar was deposited under NCIMB No. ______.
 2. A plant, or a plantpart thereof, consisting of leaves, pollen, embryos, cotyledons,hypocotyl, meristematic cells, ovules, seeds, cells, roots, root tips,pistils, anthers, flowers, and stems, produced by growing the plant ofclaim
 1. 3. A petunia-calibrachoa hybrid plant, or part thereof, havingall of the physiological and morphological characteristics of thepetunia-calibrachoa hybrid plant of claim
 1. 4. A tissue or cell cultureof regenerable cells produced from the plant of claim
 1. 5. The tissueor cell culture of claim 4, comprising tissues or cells from a plantpart selected from the group consisting of leaves, pollen, embryos,cotyledons, hypocotyl, meristematic cells, roots, root tips, pistils,anthers, flowers, and stems.
 6. A petunia-calibrachoa hybrid plantregenerated from the tissue or cell culture of claim 5, wherein saidplant has all of the morphological and physiological characteristics ofpetunia-calibrachoa hybrid SAKPXC01.7 listed in Table
 1. 7. A method ofvegetatively propagating the plant of claim 1, comprising the steps of:a. collecting tissue or cells capable of being propagated from a plantaccording to claim 1; b. cultivating said tissue or cells of (a) toobtain proliferated shoots; and c. rooting said proliferated shoots toobtain rooted plantlets; or d. cultivating said tissue or cells toobtain proliferated shoots, or to obtain plantlets.
 8. Apetunia-calibrachoa hybrid plant produced by growing the plantlets orproliferated shoots of claim
 7. 9. A method for producing an F₁ seed,wherein the method comprises crossing the plant of claim 1 with adifferent plant and harvesting the resultant F₁ seed.
 10. An F₁ seedproduced by the method of claim
 9. 11. A plant, or a part thereof,produced by growing said seed of claim
 10. 12. A method of determiningthe genotype of the petunia-calibrachoa hybrid plant of claim 1, whereinsaid method comprises obtaining a sample of nucleic acids from saidplant and detecting in said nucleic acids a plurality of polymorphisms.13. A method of producing a petunia-calibrachoa hybrid plant resistantto the group consisting of herbicides, insecticides, and disease,wherein the method comprises transforming the petunia-calibrachoa hybridplant of claim 1 with a transgene, and wherein said transgene confersresistance to an herbicide, insecticide, or disease.
 14. An herbicide,insecticide, or disease resistant plant produced by the method of claim13.
 15. A method for developing a petunia-calibrachoa hybrid plant in aplant breeding program, comprising applying plant breeding techniquescomprising recurrent selection, hackcrossing, pedigree breeding, markerenhanced selection, haploid/double haploid production, or transformationto the petunia-calibrachoa hybrid plant of claim 1, or its parts,wherein application of said techniques results in development of apetunia-calibrachoa hybrid plant.
 16. A method of introducing a mutationinto the genome of a petunia-calibrachoa hybrid plant, said methodcomprising inducing a mutation to the plant, or plant part thereof, ofclaim 1, wherein said mutation is selected from the group consisting ofionizing radiation, chemical mutagens, targeting induced local lesionsin genomes, zinc finger nuclease mediated mutagenesis, meganucleases,and gene editing, and wherein the resulting plant comprises at least onegenome mutation.
 17. A mutagenized plant produced by the method of claim16.